Who We Are

We act as the united and trusted voice of European gastroenterology and are recognised as the leading authority for digestive health

#IngestTheBest
#weareUEG

 

About us

Founded in 1992 United European Gastroenterology (UEG) is the leading non-profit organisation for excellence in digestive health in Europe and beyond with its headquarters in Vienna. We improve the prevention and care of digestive diseases in Europe through providing top tier education, supporting research and advancing clinical standards.

As Europe’s home and umbrella for multidisciplinary gastroenterology, we unite over 50,000 engaged professionals from national and specialist societies, individual digestive health experts and related scientists from all fields and career stages. Over 24,000 digestive healthcare professionals from around the world have joined the myUEG Community as myUEG Associates and myUEG Young GI Associates. The myUEG Community enables digestive health professionals from across the globe to become myUEG Associates and thereby connect, network and benefit from a wide range of free resources and educational activities.

Our offers include our annual congress UEG Week, online and face-to-face educational experiences, research support, a scientific journal and a range of opportunities in the form of fellowships and grants. We provide numerous guidelines, standards and quality improvement initiatives and campaign at the European level to ensure continued resources for research into digestive health while working closely with patient organisations.


Organisational structure

UEG unites 17 Specialist (ordinary) Member Societies and 49 National Societies working in the broad area of digestive health, constantly adapting to the changing requirements of scientific research and health care.

Following our mission and a dedicated strategic plan, the overall leadership and strategic direction of UEG rests with the Council. The committees and task forces enable interested volunteers to play an active role in shaping current and future UEG initiatives and form the operating body of the organisation.

Member Societies are represented in the Meeting of Members that elects or appoints UEG Council members. Each Specialist (ordinary) Member Society has the opportunity to send one representative to UEG’s committees. 

All officers of UEG, regardless of position, provide their effort and time on a complete voluntary basis, and therefore make UEG a non-profit organisation concerned solely with the well-being of patients.


Boards, Committees & Groups

Council & Executive Committee

We are the overall leadership of UEG and provide the strategic direction. 

View board

Meeting of Members

We are composed of members of UEG and have various responsibilities defined in the UEG Statutes.

View board

National Societies Forum

We act as the central communication channel between National Societies and UEG.

View board

Scientific Committee

We organise the best international multidisciplinary gastroenterology congress in the world.

View committee

Education Committee

We provide learning opportunities in digestive health in multiple formats.

View committee

Public Affairs Group

We act as the united voice of European gastroenterology towards the public and policy makers.

View group

National Societies Committee

We strengthen relationships between the National Societies and UEG through cross-representation in other UEG committees.

View committee

Research Committee

We support cooperation and excellence in digestive health research.

View committee

Quality of Care Committee

We improve clinical practice to reduce health inequalities across Europe.

View committee

Young Talent Group

We connect and support future experts.

View group

Equality & Diversity Group

We strive for equality of opportunity and inclusion.

View group

Volunteer for UEG!

Take the next step in your career and join our activities by serving on one of our boards & committees as volunteer! 

Apply

Governance

Code of conduct

UEG is dedicated to achieving its mission in an open, transparent and democratic manner according to the highest standards of ethics. Together with other members of the Biomedical Alliance in Europe, UEG has approved and adopted the Code of Conduct of healthcare professionals and scientific organisations.

This code sets out core principles for health care professional and scientific organisations to maintain and enhance professional independence, objectivity and scientific integrity. It guides all persons serving UEG in the development and implementation of UEG’s activities. UEG volunteers and senior employees sign a Declaration of Interest (DoI) to disclose any possible conflicts between their duties towards UEG and their private interests.

Equality & diversity

Diversity, integrity and respect, as well as transparency, accountability, sustainability, quality, and independence form the core values of UEG as a professional non-profit organisation. We strive to ensure inclusivity and equality of opportunities for all engaged digestive health professionals and staff, independent of age, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, and ability. We are committed to creating an equitable environment that is free from discrimination, as we believe that diversity of thought, experience, and perspective is essential for driving innovation, creativity, and success. 

We will maintain a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Assigned by the UEG Council, the UEG Equality & Diversity Group continues to oversee our efforts in this regard. 

Read UEG Equality & Diversity Plan 

Legal & fiscal framework

UEG Statutes constitute the legal basis for the operation of the organisation. UEG is incorporated in Vienna, Austria and complies with the legal rules of the Austrian Law of Associations with number 570340662 in the Austrian Register of Association.

UEG is a non-profit organisation and is funded by its membership dues and the scientific activities and events it organises, such as congresses and postgraduate teaching, scientific journals publishing, educational programmes as well as sponsorship from industry. To operate all its activities UEG has set up United European Gastroenterology GmbH which is fully owned by UEG and incorporated as a limited liability company in Vienna, Austria (Austrian Commercial Register - FN 443867 x). UEG’s accounts comply with Austrian fiscal provisions and are both internally (by two members of the association called auditors) and externally audited (by an international tax advisor) on an annual basis.

Download UEG Statutes


History

UEG was formally established in 1992 with the first UEG Week hosted by the Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology under the leadership of Constantine Arvanitakis in Athens. UEG Week developed and the number of attendees increased constantly. With progressive growth there was also an urgent need to strengthen the central administrative capability. This process and the first 20 years of UEG’s existence has been summarised in the 20th Anniversary brochure.

During the past years UEG has established itself as one of the most effective and prestigious medical specialty organisations in the world. Relive the last three decades of UEG by reading this UEG Journal article written by former President Michael Farthing: 30 years of UEG: What has been achieved and what does the future hold?

Find out what UEG contributed in 30 years and where we are headed for the decades to come by watching this UEG Week 2022 Anniversary session held on occasion of UEG’s 30th birthday.


UEG is member of